When Republicans are Only Tough Against Their Own Kind

Sometimes I wonder whether all the Republicans, conservatives, and even Christians who are so quick to lambaste Pat Robertson for the negative sound bites the media is always flailing about actually even know anything about the man. In case you haven’t heard, Robertson referenced Haiti’s historical “pact with the devil” when discussing the country’s disaster last week.

I know this is a dangerously controversial thing for me to say publicly, but regardless of my own feelings Robertson’s statement, it is sickening to watch so many supposed conservatives so quick to make an enemy out of another conservative.

Imagine the possibilities, if only they would target that energy against the left.

I’m not going to comment about Robertson’s particular statement, just about the negative reaction by the people who are supposed to be on his side. We see this constantly within the Republican Party (think: call out the conservative Christian, but don’t touch Reverend Wright. He’s a liberal, so he might actually fight back).

It’s telling of an indivual’s character when he’s quick to condemn one of his own but afraid to do the same with an actual adversary. It’s called cowardice.

by Sir John Hawkins

John Hawkins's book 101 Things All Young Adults Should Know is filled with lessons that newly minted adults need in order to get the most out of life. Gleaned from a lifetime of trial, error, and writing it down, Hawkins provides advice everyone can benefit from in short, digestible chapters.

For all those who have only heard about the “pact with the devil” statement from biased talking points, here’s a statement from his spokesperson, released the same day:

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., January 13, 2010 — On today’s The 700 Club, during a segment about the devastation, suffering and humanitarian effort that is needed in Haiti, Dr. Robertson also spoke about Haiti’s history. His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led by Boukman Dutty at Bois Caiman, where the slaves allegedly made a famous pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French. This history, combined with the horrible state of the country, has led countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed. Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath. If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson’s compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster. They have sent a shipment of millions of dollars worth of medications that is now in Haiti, and their disaster team leaders are expected to arrive tomorrow and begin operations to ease the suffering.

Chris Roslan
Spokesman for CBN

Thanks to Republicans like newly elected Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell, the public will never hear about how Robertson implored listeners to pray for Haiti, or how his organization had been sending millions in aid to Haiti even before the latest tragedy.